Answer these questions as best you can; you may not be able to answer all of them, but you should be able to answer almost all of them. No one-word answers: tell me why you think you are right about an answer you give. That’s it! For more detailed instructions, please see the next page…
1. Tell me which immigrant group you chose.
2. When did the largest numbers of people in your group arrive in Washington?
3. What struggles did they face (struggles could have been the reason they came to Washington State, or they could have encountered struggles when they arrived)?
4. How did they overcome those struggles?
5. Who from their group is well known in Washington, and why are they well known?
6. Did your group change any laws or bring about any social or economic change in Washington State?
7. What did your group contribute to Washington’s art or cultural heritage (art is not just paintings or sculpture; for example, music, dancing, and cooking are art forms too)?
8. How did what your group did in the past affect things today (for example, African Americans in Washington State fought against discrimination in housing in the 1960s, and their struggle allowed African Americans and other historically discriminated against groups to obtain good housing now)? “The Norwegian Celebration.” The Seattle Post-intelligencer. 11 May 1892, Page 3.
This is a newspaper article about “Syttende Mai” (17th of May), the celebration of the Norwegian Constitution, which officially declared Norway an independent nation in 1814.
“The Norwegian Celebration. Meetings at Two of the Halls in this City. The preparations for the celebration on May 17 of the anniversary of Norwegian union are now nearly complete. The day will be fitly observed by at least two Norwegian organizations in this city. The Norwegian Working union will meet in the evening at Ranke’s hall and listen to addresses by James Hamilton Lewis and Rev. Mr. Melstad. The Norwegian Singing Society and the Sagatun quartette will sing, and the whole affair will wind up with a ball. At Armory hall the Norwegian Temperance Society will have a speech by Rev. H. Haugerud, of Puyallup. There will also be speeches, songs and music.”
“A. B. Moe, First to Cross Snoqualmie Pass In Covered Wagon, Dies Here.” Scandinavian American (Seattle, Washington). 03 Dec. 1951, Page 1.
The following is an excerpt (part) of a newspaper article about a Norwegian pioneer and his family in Washington State.
“A. B. Moe, First to Cross Snoqualmie Pass In Covered Wagon, Dies Here. Pioneer Norse Family Founded Poulsbo. One of the oldest and most significant pioneers in Washington died recently after a short illness. Andrew B. Moe, 85, was the first mayor of Poulsbo and a member of a pioneer Norwegian family that settled and named the Kitsap County town in 1883. Mr. Moe came to the United States from Norway, his birthplace, in 1880. His family moved to Minneapolis, where he, his father and brothers did construction work on the Northern Pacific Railway until they came west. The journey with teams and covered wagon from Minneapolis to Seattle took four months. The Moes were in the first party to cross Snoqualmie Pass with horses and wagons. They arrived in Seattle in 1883.”
Maps are an essential tool of
geography. Maps have many
purposes. Road maps help us know
where we are and get to where we
want to go. But maps can do more
than that. Maps are like pictures.
They say a lot with few words. Maps
can help us see the Earth†™s
spatial patterns. They can give us
information on physical features,
climate, natural resources, economic
activity, political boundaries, and
topographic features that help us
distinguish steep terrain from flat
land. Although maps may show
different kinds of information, they
typically share some common
features:
• A title that indicates what kind
of information the map will
show.
• A compass rose, which helps
determine the orientation of a
map by showing North, South,
East, and West.
• A scale of miles to estimate
distances.
• A legend or key with symbols
to help identify cities, rivers,
forests, regions, major
religions, main ethnic groups,
and other things.
Some maps also include a grid
showing lines of latitude and
longitude. The intersection of those
lines helps determine the absolute
location of a place. For example, the
absolute location of Seattle is 48°N
latitude and 122°W longitude.
Content Connections
For each pair of key terms, write a short description of each term. Then, explain the
connection between the two. Use the organizer to help you organize your thoughts.
civilization diverse fossil fuel hydroelectic
diplomacy tribes Isaac Stevens indigenous
What Do You Think?
Create a chart like the one here to compare
and contrast how the environment affected
people and how people affected the
environment, for the following groups†”
• The Coastal People
• The Plateau People
• European and American explorers
• Fur traders
• Missionaries
• Homesteaders
How did the environment
affect the people?
How did the people affect the
environment?
The Coastal People
The Plateau People
European & American
explorers
Fur traders
Missionaries
Homesteaders
Key Idea Review
Lesson 1
What key feature influences Washington†™s people, culture, and climate?
2. What are Washington†™s five land regions? Name one distinct geographic
feature of each one.
3. What natural feature impacted human settlement in Washington?
Lesson 2
1. What two major Native American groups developed civilizations across the
Pacific Northwest?
1. Describe two key interactions between Natives and Europeans in Washington.
1. Why did many pioneers come to the Pacific Northwest?
1. A new boundary divided the land between which two countries? What new US
territories were created?
1. Name two early industries in Washington that brought new people.
1 answer
Immigrant Group Chosen: I chose the Norwegian immigrant group. The significant influx of Norwegians into Washington State during the late 19th and early 20th centuries helped shape the cultural landscape of the region. Many Norwegians came seeking economic opportunities, religious freedom, and the chance to start anew in a burgeoning area like the Pacific Northwest.
Arrival Period: The largest numbers of Norwegian immigrants began arriving in Washington State around the 1880s, peaking between 1880 and 1920. This period was marked by improved transportation methods, such as steamships, which made the journey across the Atlantic more accessible and less time-consuming.
Struggles Faced: Norwegians faced various struggles upon arriving in Washington, including adapting to a new culture and language, finding employment in a competitive job market, and overcoming isolation in rural areas. Many arrived with limited financial resources and faced discrimination or suspicions from locals who were unfamiliar with these new immigrants.
Overcoming Struggles: The Norwegian community overcame these struggles through mutual support, forming tight-knit communities in which they could share resources and assist one another. They established churches, cultural organizations, and social clubs that provided a social safety net, preserving their identity while integrating into the broader fabric of Washington society. Additionally, successful entrepreneurs emerged from these communities, which enabled some individuals to navigate economic hardships more effectively.
Well-Known Figures: A.B. Moe is a notable figure within the Norwegian community in Washington State. As one of the earliest Norwegian pioneers, he was instrumental in founding Poulsbo, and he served as its first mayor. His contributions helped lay the groundwork for what would become a vibrant community, underlining the impact of Norwegian immigrants in the region's history.
Social and Economic Change: The Norwegian immigrant group did indeed influence laws and social change in Washington State. For instance, they contributed to the push for labor reforms and education opportunities, impacting the state's labor landscape. Organizations formed by Norwegian immigrants advocated for workers' rights and sought to improve living conditions, thereby fostering socio-economic changes in line with evolving labor dynamics in the state.
Cultural Contributions: Norwegian immigrants enriched Washington's cultural heritage through various traditions, including the celebration of Syttende Mai, or Constitution Day, which is recognized with parades and festivity. They introduced Norwegian music, folk dances, and traditional culinary practices, such as lefse (a traditional flatbread). The establishment of organizations, such as the Norwegian Singing Society, showcased their commitment to preserving their cultural identity, making a lasting impact on Washington's cultural landscape.
Influence on Present-Day Washington: The Norwegian immigrant experience laid a foundation for a more inclusive and diverse Washington. Their struggles for recognition, community support, and cultural preservation contributed to a more accepting atmosphere for subsequent immigrant groups. The ethos of cooperation and community solidarity that emerged among the Norwegians has influenced contemporary social movements advocating for equality and rights for a variety of marginalized communities in the state today. This historical context helps inform current discussions on immigration, multiculturalism, and the importance of diversity in shaping modern Washingtonian identity.
In conclusion, the experiences and contributions of Norwegian immigrants in Washington State reflect a broader narrative of resilience, community building, and cultural exchange that has played a significant role in defining the region's character and development over time.
